Rivalry week — a time when schools put extra emphasis on beating the mess out of that one team they love to loathe. They trade silly hardware and tussle for bragging rights for the next 364 days, and people love it. So in honor of this, I’m picking all the heated rivalry games of the weekend.
Last week: 4-1 straight up, 2-3 vs. spread. Season: 42-18 straight up, 23-37 vs. spread.
 
Ole Miss (+20) at No. 14 LSU, 7 p.m., Tigervision — Considering LSU has about five different rivals if you count Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas (and that ugly boot) and recently Georgia, it makes sense to play Ole Miss this week. The Rebels and Tigers have hated each other since the 1950’s when both were national powers. No game got more hype last year than the one these teams played in Oxford, Miss. Even The Reveille and the Daily Mississippian were having verbal sparring matches. Both teams have fallen a bit from their national prominence, but Ole Miss really has gone down, coming in to this game with a 3-6 record. The Rebels have had a rough time replacing Eli Manning, and the Tigers should exploit their weaknesses the entire game.
 
Prediction: LSU 28, Ole Miss 3
 
No. 3 Auburn (-10) at Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS — This year’s Iron Bowl has a lot at stake with Auburn nipping at Oklahoma’s heels for the No. 2 spot in the BCS. ‘Bama, meanwhile, is playing for a decent bowl game and the Tide defense may be up to the challenge of stopping Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.
 
Auburn 27, Alabama 16
 
BYU (+21.5) at No. 6 Utah, 6 p.m., ESPN (regional) — When in Utah, do as the Mormons do. This game brings back shades of 2002 when BYU was threatening to sue the BCS for not letting them in despite being undefeated. The Utes don’t need the courts to head to the Fiesta Bowl, just a win. As much as this upset calls to me, Utah is a team ready to bust through the major conferences’ hold on the BCS.
 
Utah 28, BYU 17
 
No. 7 Michigan (-5.5) at Ohio State, Noon, ABC — Throw out the records when these teams get together. The Wolverines will get in the Rose Bowl and win the Big Ten outright with a win, and the Buckeyes have had too many distractions this week with Maurice Clarett’s allegations. Generally, the team with the most to lose has never done well in this series, but Ohio State has struggled for most of the year while the Maize and Blue have stayed consistent.
 
Michigan 31, Ohio State 17
 
Florida (+7) at No. 8 Florida State, 6:45 p.m., ESPN — The ‘Noles and the Gators have been disappointing compared to the high standards they exuded the last few years. Florida is only playing for respect and waiting for a new coach to come in, while the ‘Noles are trying to get to 10 wins.
 
Florida State 31, Florida 7
 
No. 9 Wisconsin (+3) at No. 17 Iowa, 3:30 p.m., ESPN — Wisconsin needs another week to get over the woodshed beating that Michigan State gave them last week. Throw in the fact that Iowa is one of the hottest teams in the country and the Badgers are in for a losing streak.
 
Iowa 35, Wisconsin 21
 
Stanford (+24) at No. 4 California, 2:30 p.m. — They call it the ‘Big Game’ for a reason. The Bears still have an outside shot at the national title, but the Cardinal are no pushover. This rivalry was made famous with the miracle finish in 1982, simply called ‘The Play’. After Cal escaped against Oregon with a one-point win two weeks ago, look for another close one. The Bears still have Southern Miss to get past as well in order to get to Pasadena, so they could be looking ahead. No matter what happens, one team will go home with the Stanford Axe, but watch out for the band on the field.
 
Cal 28, Stanford 24
 
North Carolina (-6) at Duke, 11 a.m. — OK, so this is a basketball rivalry, but the Tar Heels have made a name for themselves with the upset of Miami earlier this year. Maybe the teams could walk over to Cameron Indoor and shoot some hoops after the game.
 
North Carolina 48, Duke 17
 
South Carolina (+3) at Clemson, 11 a.m. — With Steve Spurrier appearing to be headed to Columbia next year, this game is big for the Gamecocks. A win may get them into the Peach Bowl and get them a good preseason ranking next year. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has been on the virtual hot seat all year and he needs this one to get to a bowl game.
 
South Carolina 27, Clemson 16
 
Washington (+11) at Washington State, 6 p.m, ABC — The Apple Cup is at stake in this one, but that’s about it. Washington will be looking for a new coach after a 1-9 start this year. WSU hasn’t fared much better, searching for its fifth win this year.
 
Washington State 46, Washington 13